Forestry/Environmental News:

Ground Water Protection – Sections 1 to 6 of the Ground Water Protection Regulation 299/2004 will be brought into force on November 1, 2004. The remaining sections are to be brought in one year later, November 1, 2005. Quickscribe will post these changes once they become law.

Labour and Company News:

Society Act Amendments – Significant amendments to the Society Act will be brought into force on November 1, 2004. Quickscribe will post these changes once they become law. Click Society Amendment Act, 2004 to review these changes.

New Business Opportunities – The government has announced the launch of the 2010 Commerce Centre website which will give B.C. companies one-stop access to accurate and timely information about the business opportunities resulting from the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Improved Business Access to Government – In partnership with the Canada Revenue Agency and the Workers' Compensation Board, the Province has officially launched the OneStop Business Registry, an improved e-government service that meets modern business needs. Entrepreneurs can register their business, set up a provincial sales tax account, open a GST account, register with the Workers' Compensation Board and apply for a municipal business licence - all online. A single number will identify the business to various levels of government, avoiding duplication and speeding up service.

Local Government News:

Safe Streets – After some delay, the highly controversial Safe Streets Act was given Royal Assent on Tuesday morning, October 26, 2004, and will come into force by regulation. Discussions on regulations regarding the appropriate penalties under the Act are expected to last until the end of the year at which time it is anticipated they will come into force.

Managing Road Salt – Environment Canada has published a guide, available in print or CD format, to assist road authorities/municipalities in meeting the requirements of the Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salts. To request a copy of the Implementation Guide or for further information, check the web site or contact Celia Wong at Environment Canada at 604.666.9862 or celia.wong@ec.gc.ca .

Conference Discussing Accountability of Government – The School of Public Administration at the University of Victoria is holding a Conference on the "Future of Government" on November 26, 2004 in Victoria. This year's theme is "Accountability in the 21st Century". The event will provide a forum for students, academics and practitioners of public administration to dialogue on the critical issue of accountability in government. The topics discussed might especially attract local government staff. For more information please refer to the School of Public Administration website or e-mail future04@uvic.ca .

Motor Vehicle News:

Changes to GVTA – New legislation, (2004 Bill 75, the Transportation Statutes Amendment Act), contains, among other things, amendments to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority Act, ensuring the province and Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (GVTA) can proceed with important transportation projects, namely the Richmond-Vancouver-Airport rapid transit project (RAV) and the Fraser River Crossing project. For more info click on the Information Bulletin .

Stronger Trailer Guards – Canada will require trailer manufacturers to build stronger rear impact guards to better protect people in vehicles involved in rear-end collisions with transport trailers. For more information, click Transport Canada News Release.